Cable connecter for outlet boxes



Aug. 23, 1938. M. J. CONNERS' 2,128,040

CABLE CONNECTER FOR OUTLET BOXES Filed June 4; 1936 ZZZ-9.1.

'IIIIIIIII'N Ma /454 CON/MEGS. IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UN'lTEv-D STAT E PATENT OFFICE Application June 4,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electrical appliances and more particularly it pertains to anew and novel means for supporting electrical cables in the walls of outlet boxes.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a new and improved connecter for supporting electrical conductors in the walls of outlet boxes.

It is another object of the invention to provide anew and novel means for attaching the connecter to the wall of an outlet box.

It is another object-of the invention to provide a new and novel construction for securing an electrical conductor against movement relative to the connecter by which it is attached to the outlet box.

Still a 'f-ur'ther'object of the invention resides in a novel construction whereby the connecter may be attached to the wall of the outlet box without necessitating the use of tools or special fastening means.

It is still a further object of the invention so to construct the connecter that certain elements used in connection therewith are clearly visible from within "the outlet box when the device is in place therein without necessitating the removal of any of the parts.

Various other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, and reference will be had, therefore, to the following specification and "claims and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective View of an outlet box showing a connecter constructed in accordance with the present invention attached thereto with an electrical conductor in place in said connecter,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure-l,

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating one form of connecter, and;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the reference numeral 10 designates an outlet box having the conventional knock-outs ll. These knock-outs, when removed, provide openings for the reception of electrical conductors leading into and from the box in the ordinary manner.

A connecter constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a main body portion I2 which is of tapered tubular form. The

1936, Serial No. 83,492

larger end of the body portion is defined by an outstanding annular flange I3, its smaller end being formed with an inwardly projecting annularflange M. The inner annular flange I4 is provided, as is also a portion of the tubular member, with a plurality of cut out portions IS the purpose of which will be hereinafter more clearly described.

The tubular body portion l2 in this form of the invention is formed with longitudinally extending slots i6, these slots being formed by striking up portions to provide resilient fingers l I. These resilient fingers l I are of such a length that their free 'end l8 will be spaced from the inner edge of the flange i3 heretofore mentioned, a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall of the outlet box with which the connecter is to be used, and the free ends l8 of the several resilient fingers H are adapted to cooperate with the flange I3 to engage the wall of an outlet box to retain the connecter in position in one of the knock-out openings thereof.

In addition to the fingers I! there is a finger 20 of resilient nature, which finger is cut from the body tubular member as are the fingers l'l. This finger 20, however, is longer than the fingers II, it being of such length that its outer end 2| will, when the device is in position in an outlet box, engage in the knock-out opening and will be, by such engagement, retained against springing outwardly as do the fingers IT. This finger 20 is provided with-means for biting engagement with an electrical conductor, and this means preferably consists of a plurality of spring tongues 23 struck directly from the metal of the finger 20 in such a manner that when a cable is passed through the tubular member 20 and the device inserted in a knock-out opening in the wall of an outlet box, these biting teeth 23 will be maintained in biting engagement with the conductor to retain the same against movement relative to the connecter.

In the installation of such devices, certain regulations require that an insulating bushing be employed between the conductor and the connecter. In the drawing, this bushing is designated 30 and is passed around the conductor before the same is inserted in the connecter. This bushing 30 is so positioned that it will extend beyond the armor of the conductor, as illustrated in Figure 2, and when in proper position, will be clearly visible through the openings I5, heretofore mentioned, when the device is in operative position. By this means it will be apparent that an inspector, merely by looking into the interior of the box, can determine whether the bushing has been applied as required merely by glimpsing a sight thereof through the openings I5.

By reference to Figure 2 it will be apparent that when the device is placed in position in one of the knock-out openings of an outlet box, the resilient fingers I! will spring outwardly as their outer end l8 clears the opening in the wall of the knock-out box, and in springing outwardly, will engage behind the wall of the outlet box as at 35 to prevent withdrawal or accidental displacement of the connecter relative to the wall of the outlet box. It will also be apparent from said Figure 2 that the resilient finger which has the biting teeth 23 in engagement with the conductor, will engage the edge or Wall of the knockout opening as at 36, and will, by said engagement be maintained in such position that its biting teeth 23 will be positively held in engagement with the conductor to prevent longitudinal movement thereof so long as the connecter is in position in the knock-out opening.

While in the present illustration of the invention I have repeatedly mentioned an electrical conductor, it is to be understood that this term is intended to include conductors of all types as well as armored cables for protection of such conductors, and that when armored cables are employed the biting teeth will engage the armor rather than the conductor.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a new and improved connecter for supporting and attaching conductors either armored or otherwise in the walls of outlet boxes, which may be placed and which is held in operative position without necessitating the aid of special tools, fixtures or clips.

While the invention has been herein illustrated in a preferred form it is to be understood that it is not limited to the specific construction herein shown and that it may be practiced in such other forms as rightfully fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is:

1. In combination with an outlet box having an opening in a wall thereof, a cable connecter comprising a tubular body portion adapted for insertion in said opening, means for retaining said tubular body portion in position in said opening, and means for retaining a cable within said tubular body portion, said last mentioned means comprising a resilient finger integral with the body portion and adapted to be retained in operative position by engagement with a wall of" the outlet box, and means carried by said resilient finger for biting engagement with a cable when the finger is in operative position.

2. In combination with an outlet box having an opening in a wall thereof, a cable connecter comprising a tubular body portion adapted for insertion in said opening, means for retaining said tubular body portion in position in said opening, and means for retaining a cable within said tubular body portion, said last mentioned means comprising a resilient finger integral with the body portion and adapted to be retained in operative position by engagement with a wall of the outlet box, and a plurality of teeth struck from said resilient finger for biting engagement with acable when the resilient finger is in operative position.

3. A cable connecter and holder for outlet boxes comprising in combination, a tapered tubular member adapted for insertion into an opening in the wall of an outlet box, means for retaining said tubular member in position in said opening, and means for holding a cable in position within the tubular member, said last mentioned means comprising a resilient finger struck from the tubular member, said resilient finger being of a length suificient to engage the defining edge of said opening thereby to hold the resilient finger in biting engagement with a cable carried by the tubular member when the tubular member is in position in the opening.

4. A cable connecter and holder for outlet boxes comprising in combination, a tapered tubular member adapted for insertion into an opening in the wall of an outlet box, means for retaining said tubular member in position in said opening and means for holding a cable in position Within the tubular member, said last mentioned means comprising a resilient finger struck from the tubular member, said resilient finger being of a length sufiicient to engage the defining edge of said opening thereby to hold the resilient finger in biting engagement with a cable carried by the tubular member when the tubular member is in position in the opening, and cable biting means struck from. the resilient finger intermediate the ends thereof.

MICHAEL J. CONNERS. 

